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Attachment D: Cultural Resources Technical Report 

1.0 Introduction

The DesertXpress Enterprises, LLC XpressWest High-Speed Train Project (Project) entails construction 

and operation of a high-speed passenger train system between Apple Valley, California, and Las Vegas, 

Nevada. The Project was originally evaluated in the following documents (collectively referenced as the 

DesertXpress Environmental Impact Statement [EIS]):

• March 2009 Draft Environmental Impact Statement and 4(f) Evaluation for the proposed 

DesertXpress High-Speed Passenger Train (DesertXpress DEIS)

• April 2010 Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement and 4(f) Evaluation for the proposed 

DesertXpress High-Speed Passenger Train (DesertXpress SEIS)

• March 2011 Final Environmental Impact Statement and 4(f) Evaluation for the proposed DesertXpress 

High-Speed Passenger Train Victorville, California to Las Vegas, Nevada (DesertXpress FEIS)

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) issued the Record of Decision DesertXpress High-Speed 

Passenger Train (DesertXpress ROD) in July 2011.

This technical report describes the potential changes to cultural resource impacts resulting from the 

Project design modifications. Concurrently with this Reevaluation, FRA is completing the Section 106 

process in accordance with the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). This entails FRA complete a 

formal identification and evaluation of historic properties, assess effects on those historic properties, 

and resolve any adverse effects through avoidance, minimization, and mitigation. In addition, FRA is 

preparing technical reports that identify and evaluate archaeological and built environment historic

properties and will generate findings of effects reports. These reports will be submitted for the 

appropriate notification, consultation, and concurrence as required by Section 106 and 36 CFR Part 800, 

and adherence to this process would in effect be similar to the process set forth in the DesertXpress FEIS 

and ROD. Refer to Section 6.0 and Section 7.0 below for further discussion of the Section 106 process.

2.0 Regulatory Updates 

The regulatory environment for cultural resources is described in Section 3.7.1 of the DesertXpress DEIS 

and Section 3.7.1.2 of the 2011 DesertXpress FEIS. Changes to the regulatory environment since FRA’s 

issuance of the DesertXpress ROD are described below. 

On June 7, 2019, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) produced a memorandum that 

refines its interpretation of “direct” and “indirect” effects analyzed under the NHPA. These refinements 

change how effects should be characterized. Previously, physical alterations to a resource’s location, 

design, materials, and workmanship were typically understood to be “direct,” while visual and auditory 

alterations that most commonly affect a resource’s setting, feeling, and association were typically 

considered “indirect.” The new ACHP guidance states that the difference between direct and indirect 

effects relates to the proximate cause of the effect. Specifically, under this new guidance, a direct effect 

occurs as an immediate result of a project activity, whereas an indirect effect occurs due to an 
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intervening cause (ACHP 2019).1 As reflected in Section 3.1, this interpretation has been incorporated 

into the methodology for this Reevaluation and ongoing Section 106 process. However, this change in 

approach does not result in a substantial change to the evaluation of cultural resources of the 

DesertXpress EIS. 

3.0 Methodology 

The methods for the evaluation of cultural resources are described in Section 3.7.2 of the DesertXpress

DEIS. For this Reevaluation, FRA generally followed a similar approach, but as further described below, 

the Reevaluation also reflects refinements to methodology from the ongoing Section 106 consultation 

process. The methods used in this Reevaluation included the following: 

• Refinement of the cultural resources study area or Area of Potential Effect (APE) (consisting of an 

Archaeological APE and an Above-Ground APE] in accordance with the method described in Section 

3.1 below, including changes to both as a result of additional design changes identified between 

February to June 2020.

• Records searches at the South Central Coastal Information Center in California and the Nevada 

Cultural Resources Information System. 

• Consultation with Federally-Recognized Native American Tribes that attach significance to historic 

properties in both California and Nevada who provided valuable input regarding locations of cultural 

resources and areas on the landscape to which they attach religious or cultural significance.

• Development of an Archaeological Survey Methodology Memo to document procedures for 

conducting pedestrian archaeological field surveys and attendant Tribal monitoring. FRA made this 

memo available to the consulting parties for review and comment prior to the start of fieldwork. 

o For the DesertXpress EIS (completed 2011), pedestrian archaeological surveys were similarly 

conducted by qualified archaeologists. However, the survey methodology was not circulated for 

review in advance, nor was Tribal monitoring part of the pedestrian survey. 

• Pedestrian field survey, with input from and the presence of monitors from the above-mentioned 

Federally-Recognized Native American Tribes, to identify any archaeological resources within the 

current Archaeological APE. This includes: archaeological resources that were not previously 

identified due to changes in the Archaeological APE, age-eligibility, and/or evolving perspectives on 

historic significance; confirming presence/absence of previously identified/documented sites; and 

updating known site locations. 

• Desktop analysis of tax assessor data, including cross-referencing with Google Earth Pro imagery to 

identify any resources that have become age-eligible since the DesertXpress ROD (2011).

• Identification of the built environment reconnaissance survey population, including any resources 

newly included in the Above-Ground APE based on the modified Project description, resources that 

have become age-eligible since the DesertXpress ROD, and newly recorded resources. 

1 Advisory Council of Historic Preservation (ACHP). 2019. Memorandum Re: Recent Court Decision Regarding the Meaning of 

“Direct” in Sections 106 and 110 (f) of the National Historic Preservation Act. June 7. Washington, DC. Available: 

http://shpo.nv.gov/uploads/documents/OGC_memo_to_ACHP_staff_re_meaning_of_direct_6-7-19.pdf
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• Reconnaissance built environment field surveys to identify any historic properties within the revised

Above-Ground APE that were not previously identified due to changes, age-eligibility, and/or 

evolving perspectives on historic significance

3.1 CULTURAL RESOURCES STUDY AREA

Section 3.7.2.1 of the DesertXpress DEIS and Section 3.7.1.1 of the DesertXpress FEIS included a 

discussion of the cultural resources study area. FRA’s revised cultural resources study area (current as of 

September 2020) using the methods described in Section 3.0, to include Project modifications and 

changes in the regulatory environment. 

In its methodology to define the cultural resources study area, FRA gives heavy consideration to the 

Project’s proximity or co-location within the exiting Interstate (I)-15 freeway transportation corridor, but 

is also cognizant of newly introduced elements such as emergency crossovers and elevated guideway 

portions. FRA interprets alterations as a result of the Project, in the definition of Area of Potential Effects

in 36 CFR Part 800.16(d), to be equivalent to effects to historic properties. Therefore, FRA clarified its 

approach to defining the lateral extent of the Above-Ground APE to be the area where the Project 

features would not alter the visual character and quality of the viewshed from historic properties, 

cultural resources and/or landscapes. In other words, the lateral extent is defined where alterations 

would likely not result in adverse effects to historic properties.

The APE for the Project continues to consist of both direct ground disturbance (Archaeological APE) and 

a larger Above-Ground APE, containing properties of religious and cultural significance, including 

Traditional Cultural Properties (TCPs), historic trails, buildings, structures and historic districts. The 

Archaeological APE has been defined both horizontally and vertically and is intended to account for the 

area where ground disturbing and construction activities may physically alter historic properties. 

For archaeological properties, an APE is typically established based on an undertaking’s potential for 

direct effects from ground-disturbing activities. On occasion, archeological sites may also have qualities 

that could be affected indirectly. The Archaeological APE is the limits of ground disturbance (LOD) or 

area of ground proposed to be disturbed during construction of the undertaking, including grading, cutand-fill, easements, staging areas, utility relocation, borrow pits, and biological mitigation areas, if any.

FRA recognizes that, on occasion, archaeological sites outside of the Archaeological APE may possess 

qualities that can be affected by noise, vibration, and/or visual alterations. These archaeological sites 

include historic properties that are eligible under other National Register Criteria aside from Criterion D 

and may have religious and cultural significance to Tribes. These archaeological sites will be considered 

within the Above-Ground APE.

Traditional cultural properties and cultural landscapes are more likely to be subject to indirect, as well as 

direct, effects, thus the APE for such properties is usually broader than the Archaeological APE in order 

to include the potential for such effects. For instance, the first row of potential properties beyond the 

right-of-way may be subject to such effects and thus included in an indirect APE when warranted.

The Above-Ground APE, which also has horizontal and vertical limits, is larger is size and accounts for 

physical effects within the extent of the Archaeological APE in addition to visual, noise, and vibratory 

effects to historic properties which may extend beyond the Archaeological APE, or the immediate area 

of ground disturbance and construction activities.
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Project-specific details describing the two parts of the APE (Archaeological APE and Above-Ground APE) 

are discussed below.

3.1.1 ARCHAEOLOGICAL APE

The Archaeological APE is 3,637.0 acres and 177.6 linear miles. The Archaeological APE includes the 

footprint of the alignment, facility features, and ancillary features. Facility features consist of station 

locations; substations; and operations, maintenance, and service facilities. Ancillary features include 

temporary construction easements, staging areas, roadway reconstruction locations, utility corridors, 

and paralleling sites. The Archaeological APE also includes all areas proposed for eventual doubletracking. 

The Archaeological APE for the Project takes into consideration the vertical depth of ground 

disturbance. FRA defined the vertical depth of the Archaeological APE based upon revised plan and 

profile designs prepared for the Project. It accounts for the final depths necessary to construct rail bed, 

and footings or foundations of structural components. Depth of the archaeological APE is expected to 

range from a few feet for at-grade work, up to 8 feet below grade to account for support pilings, and 

more than 100 feet for footings associated with waterway crossings. To account for varying depths of 

Project components and to provide flexibility for minor Project changes, FRA delineated the depth of the 

Archaeological APE as up to 120 feet below current grade. Table 3.1-1 sets forth the distances of the 

Archaeological APE. 

Table 3.1-1 Final Archaeological APE 

Project Component Final APE Delineation – September 

2020

Initial APE Delineation –

September 2019

Limits of Disturbance (alignment, 

highway improvements only, 

interchange modifications) (CA, NV)

Project footprint Project footprint

Vertical depth of Project 

components (CA, NV)

Down to 120 ft from current grade Down to 120 ft from current grade

3.1.2 ABOVE-GROUND APE

The Above-Ground APE, as proposed, is 44,377.4 acres and 177.8 linear miles. The Above-Ground APE 

encompasses the Archaeological APE where the Project may cause physical changes and additional 

areas in which the Project may cause changes in pattern of use, or changes in historic character through 

visual interventions, noise and/or vibration. Additionally, the Above-Ground APE accounts for historic 

properties of religious or cultural significance to Tribes that extend past the Archaeological APE 

delineation parameters, described above, to account for potential effects to these historic properties. 

FRA revised the Above-Ground APE, by setting standard horizontal and vertical buffers around Project 

components sufficient to capture potential effects from physical, vibration, noise, and visual changes. 

The Above-Ground APE is variable based on each type of Project component and the landscape setting. 

Table 3.1-2 summarizes the delineation methodology for the Above-Ground APE. 

The Above-Ground APE includes the vertical height of various Project components, such as catenary 

poles, elevated segments, and emergency crossovers. The vertical height of the Above-Ground APE 
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varies from at-grade to approximately 86 feet above grade for one location of elevated rail segments 

with associated catenary poles. To account for varying vertical dimensions of Project components and to 

provide flexibility for minor Project changes, the vertical height of the Above-Ground APE is delineated 

as up to 65 feet above current grade with the exception of the one location of 86 feet (located in 

Barstow, CA).

Table 3.1-2 sets forth the distances of the Above-Ground APE.

Table 3.1-2 Final Proposed Above-Ground APE (September 2020)

Project Component Final Proposed APE 

Delineation – 

September 2020

APE Delineation 

Progress – February

2020

Initial APE 

Delineation – 

September 2019

Urban 

Alignment 

(CA, NV)

Trenched and AtGrade450 ft from centerline 450 ft from centerline 200 ft from 

centerline, 400 ft 

total for all profile 

types Elevated At-Grade 750 ft from centerline 550 ft from centerline 

Elevated Guideway

(includes emergency 

crossovers)

1000 ft from centerline 900 ft from centerline

Rural/ 

Desert 

Alignment 

(CA, NV)

Trenched and AtGrade1000 ft from centerline 450 ft from centerline 200 ft from 

centerline, 400 ft 

total for all profile 

types Elevated At-Grade 1500 ft from centerline 550 ft from centerline 

Elevated Guideway

(includes emergency 

crossovers)

1500 ft from centerline 900 ft from centerline

Utility corridors (CA only) 200 ft on either side of 

footprint (400 ft total)

100 ft from 

centerline, 200 ft 

total

Station areas (CA, NV) 1000 ft from edge of 

footprint

200 ft from edge of 

footprint

Ancillary facilities (substations, autotransformers, temporary 

construction easements) (CA, NV)

100 ft from edge of 

footprint

100 ft from edge of 

footprint

Access roads (CA, NV) 100 ft from centerline, 

200 ft total

100 ft from 

centerline, 200 ft 

total

Historic Properties of Religious or 

Cultural Significance to Tribes (as 

described above) 

Included in AboveGround APEVaries depending 

on resource

Vertical height of Project 

components (CA, NV)

Up to 65 ft above 

current grade; 86 feet 

in Barstow CA only

Up to 65 ft above 

current grade

*Italicized font indicates revised APE boundaries compared to previously delineated APEs.
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4.0 Affected Environment

The affected environment for the Project modifications is generally similar to the affected environment

described in Section 3.7.3 of the DesertXpress DEIS and Section 3.7.1 of the DesertXpress SEIS.

The modified Project alignment follows the I-15 freeway and is primarily located within the I-15 freeway

median. The Project modifications exclude Segments 4a, 4b, or 4c, which diverged from the I-15 freeway

near Mountain Pass, and followed routings around the Brightsource solar energy site to the north, or

through the Mojave National Preserve to the south. In addition, the modified Project does not include

Segments 6c and 7. Segment 6c would have run within or immediately adjacent to the Union Pacific

railroad right-of-way (ROW) from the Sloan, Nevada, area into a Las Vegas strip area station at Flamingo

Road. Segment 7 traversed the Las Vegas Strip area, terminating at the proposed downtown Las Vegas

station.

As the Project modifications generally relocate more of the alignment within the I-15 freeway median

and do not include segments that diverge substantially from the freeway area, the affected environment

for the Project modifications is generally similar to the affected environment described in the

DesertXpress EIS, but more concentrated within the existing transportation corridor (i.e. the I-15

freeway). The affected environment for the Project modifications identified in this Reevaluation does

not include any substantially new or different land use types or geography than the affected

environment analyzed in the DesertXpress EIS. Table 4.1-1 below summarizes the property types known

and/or assumed to be present within the cultural resources study area. 

The previous APE included a new utility corridor that would have connected the Victorville Operations, 

Maintenance, and Storage Facility (OMSF) to a substation in Victorville. Project modifications between 

February and June 2020 replace the utility corridor with two electrical substations in Barstow, CA and 

Ivanpah, CA. The Barstow substation would be immediately adjacent to the I-15 freeway corridor and 

proposed rail alignment. The Ivanpah substation would be connected to the alignment via a redundant 

utility corridor along existing roads near the Brightsource Solar Energy site. 

Table 4.1-1 Property Types in the APE as of September 2020

Property Type/Category Example

Archaeological Properties – Prehistoric Property Types

Habitation • Village sites

• Camp sites

Resource Extraction/ Production

• Districts

• Quarries

• Lithic reduction sites and artifacts

• Milling features and artifacts

• Isolated lithic artifacts

Artwork • Petroglyphs

• Intaglio

Linear Features • Trail segment

Archaeological Properties – Historic Period Property Types

Settlement • Townsites

• Commercial enterprise
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Property Type/Category Example

• Domestic habitation

• Ranching

• Miscellaneous foundations/pads

Consumer Waste • Multi-episode refuse dumps

• Refuse scatters

Utility • Telegraph/phone alignment

Transportation 

• Road and trail segments

• Highway (decommissioned)

• Unimproved road

• Railroad grades/alignments/features 

• Railroad camps

Mining

• Mining complexes

• Mining camps

• Flume

• Adits, shafts, markers

• Prospecting pits

Historic Built Environment Properties 

Electrical transmission–related 

• Transmission lines and towers

• Wooden utility poles

• Substations

Transportation-related 

• Highway

• Highway (decommissioned)

• Paved collector roads

• Engineered unpaved roads 

• Unengineered unpaved roads

• Streets 

• Overpasses

• Railroad tracks/rights-of-way

Housing-related property types

• Mobile home parks

• Manufactured housing

• Single family residences

• Multi-family residences

Commercial and industrial 

property types

• Motels

• Restaurants

• Warehouses

• Gas stations

Other property types

• Churches

• Infrastructure maintenance sheds (highway/electrical/antennae)

• Billboards

• Water conveyance features (canals and engineered ditches)

• Corral
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5.0 Records Search Results

Section 3.7.3 of the DesertXpress DEIS and Section 3.7.1 of the DesertXpress SEIS summarized the 

cultural resources identified within the previous APE. A records search was conducted to identify 

cultural resources within the cultural resource study area of the Project modifications. 

For archaeological resources, FRA conducted a records search in 2019 and a supplemental record search 

in early 2020 to capture Project changes initiated by DesertXpress Enterprises, LLC. These record 

searches investigated a half-mile buffer around the modified Project in California and a mile buffer in

Nevada. 

As shown in Table 5.1-1 , this records search identified a total of 61 archaeological resources within the 

Archaeological APE.

2 Of the 61 resources identified, nine were previously recommended, assumed, or 

determined eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP); 20 resources were 

isolated artifacts and are not NRHP-eligible; 14 resources were previously determined or recommended 

as ineligible for listing on the NRHP; and 18 resources had no data relating to eligibility and have not 

been evaluated. 

For this Reevaluation, and concurrent Section 106 process, all 41 resources (that are not isolated 

artifacts) are assumed eligible pending formal evaluation in compliance with Section 106. As such, for 

this Reevaluation, 41 of the archaeological resources identified in the previous records search were 

assumed to be historic properties subject to Section 106. These assumptions will be refined as FRA 

continues to consult with Federally-Recognized Native American tribes through the ongoing Section 106

consultation process and as archaeological sites undergo formal Section 106 evaluation. FRA will 

document changes to the identification of archaeological historic properties in compliance with Section 

106. 

For NRHP-built environment properties, Table 5.1-1 shows that the 2019 and 2020 records searches

yielded 45 inventory forms identifying NRHP-eligible built environment properties that are present 

within or intersect the APE). Of the 45 resources identified, 10 were previously recommended or 

determined eligible for listing in the NRHP; 24 resources were previously determined or recommended 

as ineligible for listing on the NRHP; and 11 resources were not previously evaluated for NRHP eligibility. 

All 10 built environment resources that were previously recommended or determined NRHP eligible are 

linear features, segments of which cross into the Above-Ground APE. None of these resources have

been assessed comprehensively for integrity across their entire length. 

FRA has preliminarily determined that the segments within the APE of five NRHP-eligible built 

environment resources retain integrity and are subject to Section 106 (pending concurrence with the 

2 Archaeological properties identified within the Above-Ground APE will be identified in the forthcoming Archaeological 

Technical Reports (separate reports for California and Nevada). The analysis here is focused on archaeological properties that 

could be physically disturbed by the modified Project, in other words, those within the Project’s Archaeological APE. 
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respective State Historic Preservation Officers (SHPO) in accordance with the ongoing Section 106 

consultation process). 3,4

Table 5.1-1 Cultural Resources Identified within the 2020 Cultural Resources Study

Site Number Age Description

Identified/

Recorded in 

2009/2011 Records 

Search and Surveys?

Archaeological Properties 

CA-SBR-223

P-36-000223 Multicomp

onent

Multicomponent site: Prehistoric quarry and lithic 

production, cairns, and formal tools. Historic 

foundations, wooden claim markers, and a mine 

shaft.

Yes

CA-SBR-541

P-36-000541

Prehistoric Prehistoric quarry and lithic reduction site Yes

CA-SBR-562

P-36-000562

Prehistoric Prehistoric quarry and lithic workshop Yes

CA-SBR-885/H

P-36-000885

Multicomp

onent

Multicomponent site: Prehistoric bedrock milling, 

ground stone, and stone circles. Historic Valley Wells 

Station site and refuse deposits. 

Yes

CA-SBR-2283

P-36-002283

Prehistoric Prehistoric campsite, including stone circles and a 

lithic scatter Yes

CA-SBR-3694

P-36-003694

Multicomp

onent

Multicomponent site: Prehistoric lithic reduction site 

with ground stone and a stone circle. Historic 

foundation and refuse scatter.

Yes

CA-SBR-4085H

P-36-004085

Historic Historic Waterloo Mine railroad grade and alignment Yes

CA-SBR-4198 Prehistoric Habitation site with pottery, lithics, fire-affected rock, 

faunal remains, and ground stone Yes

CA-SBR-6020

P-36-006020

Prehistoric Prehistoric lithic reduction site Yes

CA-SBR-6023

P-36-006023

Historic Trash dump Yes

3 These inventory forms document linear features, including transmission lines, railroads, paved roads, and unpaved roads. 

Several of these forms document different segments of the same historic property. For example, multiple inventory forms 

document the San Pedro, Los Angeles, and Salt Lake Railroad as it appears at different locations in California and Nevada.

Geographically separated segments of the Arrowhead Trail/U.S. 91 are documented as CK7212 and CK4958

4 These inventory forms include language indicating that the documented property is NRHP-eligible. In the case of California 

inventory forms, a “2S2” code is included implying that SHPO concurred with the eligibility determination. However, 

documentation of that concurrence is not attached to the inventory form. Accordingly, FRA is seeking written confirmation of 

any past eligibility determinations. For the purposes of this analysis, FRA will assume that these resources are NRHP-eligible. 
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Site Number Age Description

Identified/

Recorded in 

2009/2011 Records 

Search and Surveys?

CA-SBR-6950

P-36-006950

Prehistoric Prehistoric lithic scatter, quarry; component of 

Sidewinder Quarry Archaeological District Yes

CA-SBR-7699

P-36-007699

Prehistoric Prehistoric lithic scatter, including debitage and a 

core

Yes

CA-SBR-8923

P-36-008923

Prehistoric Prehistoric lithic quarry, reduction site, and modern 

or historic rock cairns Yes

CA-SBR-9357

P-36-009357

Prehistoric Prehistoric stone circles Yes

CA-SBR-9359H

P-36-009359

Historic Historic Fearnot Mine complex Yes

CA-SBR-10873

P-36-010873

Historic Historic-era refuse scatter No

CA-SBR-11598

P-36-11598

Historic Historic multiepisodic refuse disposal site No

P-36-14499 Historic Isolate (Ceramic insulator) No

P-36-020375 Prehistoric Sidewinder Quarry Archaeological District, with 45 

identified contributing elements Yes

P-36-021787 Historic Isolate (can) No

P-36-23116

CA-SBR-14544

Historic Historic-era refuse scatter No

P-36-024307 Multicomp

onent

Multicomponent site, including a historic 

multiepisodic refuse disposal site and redeposited 

prehistoric lithics

No

P-36-025432 Historic Isolate (can) No

P-37-028507

CA-SBR-28507

Multicomp

onent

Multicomponent site: historic refuse scatter and a 

prehistoric lithic scatter No

P-36-031565 Historic Isolate (can) No

P-36-031566 Historic Isolate (can) No

P-36-031567 Historic Isolate (can) No

P-36-062495 Prehistoric Isolate (flake) Yes

PSBR-525 No data No data Yes

5 Not a real site. The SCCIC inherited these “potential” sites from the previous Information Center and does not deal with them

anymore.
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Site Number Age Description

Identified/

Recorded in 

2009/2011 Records 

Search and Surveys?

P2273-16 No data No data Yes

2284-6H7 Historic Town site Yes

Iso 58 Historic Isolate No

Iso 59 Historic Isolate No

CA-SBR13923/H8

P-36-21757

Multicomp

onent 

Prehistoric petroglyphs, bedrock milling, rock 

alignments, artifacts scatters, and historic rock rings 

(Halloran Springs rock art site)

Yes

CK3436 Prehistoric Lithic isolate Yes

CK3538 Prehistoric Lithic isolate Yes

CK3540 Historic Campsite associated with railroad construction No

CK3543 Historic Historic trash scatter No

CK3808 Prehistoric Lithic isolate Yes

CK3817 Prehistoric Possible intaglio No

CK3820 Prehistoric Lithic scatter Yes

CK3828 Prehistoric Lithic isolate Yes

CK3829 Prehistoric Lithic isolate Yes

CK3830 Prehistoric Lithic isolate Yes

CK3831 Prehistoric Lithic isolate Yes

CK3832 Prehistoric Lithic isolate Yes

CK3833 Prehistoric Lithic scatter Yes

CK3834 Prehistoric Lithic isolate Yes

CK3835 Prehistoric Lithic isolate Yes

CK3836 Prehistoric Lithic isolate Yes

CK5371 Prehistoric Lithic scatter Yes

CK5372 Prehistoric Lithic scatter No

CK5374 Prehistoric Lithic scatter Yes

6 Not a real site. The SCCIC inherited these “potential” sites from the previous Information Center and does not deal with them 

anymore.

7 Not a real site. The SCCIC inherited these “potential” sites from the previous Information Center and does not deal with them

anymore.

8 The identifier P-2272-2H had been used in the Archaeological Survey Methodology memo to describe this site. The official CASBR number has been used in its place. Although out of the Archaeological APE, this site is within the Above-Ground APE and 

is considered to be of special concern to area Tribes. 
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Site Number Age Description

Identified/

Recorded in 

2009/2011 Records 

Search and Surveys?

CK6715 Multicomp

onent Railroad construction camp and ground stone scatter Yes

CK7166 Multicomp

onent

Habitation site Yes

CK7181 Prehistoric Lithic and ground stone scatter Yes

CK7189 Prehistoric Lithic and ground stone scatter Yes

CK7225 Historic New Borax Road Yes

CK8273 Historic Prospecting site No

CK8498 Historic Can dump No

JSA-RN-S-59 Historic Flume Yes

Built Environment Properties 

P-36-001910 Historic San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad No

P-36-002910 Historic US Route 66/National Old Trails Road/National Old 

Trails Highway Yes

P-36-006793; P36-006693H Historic Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Yes

P-36-007689 Historic Arrowhead Trail/US Highway 91 Yes

P-36-007694 Historic Los Angeles Department of Water and Power Boulder 

Dam to Los Angeles Transmission Lines Yes

P-36-008313 Historic Juniper fence line No

P-36-009361 Historic Sidewinder Road Yes

P-36-010315 Historic Southern California Edison Company Boulder Dam–

San Bernardino Electrical Transmission Line Yes

P-36-010802 Historic Barnwell Stage Route No

P-36-010803 Historic Stateline Well and Corral No

P-36-010806 Historic Ivanpah-Providence Road Yes

P-36-012658 Historic Interstate 15 freeway No

P-36-013416 Historic Unnamed dirt road No

P-36-021629 Historic Yermo Road No

P-36-021631 Historic Mountain Pass Post Office No

P-36-021633 Historic Stuckey’s Restaurant and Service Station No

9 All site components were found to be outside of the Archaeological APE, therefore this site is not addressed in the 

archaeological technical report. 
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Site Number Age Description

Identified/

Recorded in 

2009/2011 Records 

Search and Surveys?

P-36-021768 Historic Colosseum Road No

P-36-023426 Historic Yermo Mutual Water Company Irrigation Canal No

P-36-026464 Historic Unnamed dirt road No

P-36-026530 Historic Crestview No

P-36-028521 Historic Southern California Edison Baroid 33kV Line No

P-36-028522 Historic Southern California Edison Inn 12kV Line No

P-36-029386 Historic Community of Yermo No

B8185 Historic Newman residence No

B8186 Historic Castro residence No

B9107 Historic Romersa house No

B9111 Historic Hughes homestead No

B9113 Historic Hauswurz house and farm No

B9114 Historic 13ansky house No

CK4429/26CK56

85/S1623 Historic San Pedro, Los Angeles, and Salt Lake Railroad Yes

CK4958/CK7212 Historic Arrowhead Trail/US Highway 91 Yes

CK6237/CK5180 Historic Los Angeles Bureau of Power and Light Boulder Line 2 Yes

CK6238/CK5180 Historic Los Angeles Bureau of Power and Light Boulder Line 1 Yes

CK6242/CK5180 Historic Los Angeles Bureau of Power and Light Boulder Line 3 Yes

CK7223 Historic Unnamed Utility Line Yes

S597 Historic Erie Overpass, Bridge Number G-662N No

S598 Historic Erie Overpass, Bridge Number G-662S No

S646 Historic Henderson Interchange, Bridge Number I-663 No

S651 Historic Sloan Interchange, Bridge Number I-674N No

S652 Historic Sloan Interchange, Bridge Number I-674S No

S653 Historic Arden Interchange, Bridge Number I-675 No

S665 Historic State Line Interchange, Bridge Number I-707N No

S666 Historic State Line Interchange, Bridge Number I-708S No

S667 Historic Jean Interchange, Bridge Number I-711N No

S668 Historic Jean Interchange, Bridge Number I-711S No
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5.1 ARCHAEOLOGICAL PEDESTRIAN FIELD SURVEY FINDINGS

In addition to the records search, archaeological pedestrian field survey was conducted to identify 

historic properties within the Archaeological APE of the modified Project cultural resources study area. 

Since the 106 process is proceeding concurrently with this Reevaluation, FRA incorporated these 

fieldwork findings into its cultural resources evaluation for the modified Project. 

Based on the approach set forth in the Archaeological Survey Methodology Memo, Secretary of the 

Interior professionally qualified archaeologists conducted intensive pedestrian field surveys of the 

Archaeological APE in two periods – from November 2019 to January 2020 and in August 2020. All 

intensive pedestrian field survey work was observed by Tribal Monitors from seven FederallyRecognized Tribes.10 All portions of the Archaeological APE were investigated either through intensive 

pedestrian or reconnaissance survey, with the exception of a single private parcel in Victorville, 

California (along the proposed utility corridor) where permission to enter could not be obtained.

Summary details of fieldwork are presented by state below. 

Nevada 

• First wave of fieldwork initiated November 19, 2019 and completed December 21, 2019

• Second wave of fieldwork initiated August 18, 2020 and completed on August 21, 2020

• Survey included approximately 1,127 acres along approximately 35 linear miles of the I-15 freeway 

and ancillary areas 

• 29 newly discovered archaeological sites documented within the Archaeological APE

o 22 historical period sites

o 6 prehistoric sites

o 1 multi-component site 

• 38 isolated artifacts identified within the Archaeological APE

o 28 historical period 

o 10 prehistoric 

• 38 previously recorded archaeological sites were identified through the records search conducted 

through the Nevada Cultural Resource Information System

o These were updated as part of the survey

o In some cases, the boundaries and components of previously recorded sites were expanded, 

while in other cases there was no visible surface expression of previously recorded sites 

within the Archaeological APE. 

California 

• First wave of fieldwork initiated November 13, 2019 and completed on January 13, 2020

• Second wave of fieldwork initiated on August 3, 2020 and completed on August 13, 2020

• Surveys included approximately 2,500.5 acres along approximately 136 linear miles of the I-15 

freeway and ancillary areas

10 Tribal monitors participated from the following Tribes: San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, Morongo Band of Mission 

Indians, Twentynine Palms Band of Mission Indians, Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians, Timbisha Shoshone, Colorado River 

Indian Tribes, and Moapa Band of Paiutes. 
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• 25 newly discovered archaeological sites documented within the Archaeological APE

o 14 historic period sites

o 11 prehistoric sites

• 35 isolated artifacts identified within the Archaeological APE

o 4 historic period

o 29 prehistoric

o 2 of undetermined age

• 51 previously recorded archaeological sites were identified within the Archaeological APE through 

the records search conducted at the South Central Coastal Information Center

o These were updated as part of the survey

o In some cases, the boundaries and components of previously recorded sites were expanded, 

while in other cases there was no visible surface expression of previously recorded sites 

within the Archaeological APE. 

5.2 BUILT ENVIRONMENT PEDESTRIAN FIELD SURVEY FINDINGS

The built environment field survey effort began with desktop research and preparation. Qualified 

individuals (QIs)11 reviewed all legal parcels within the currently defined APE using GoogleEarth Pro and 

tax assessor data to determine which contain buildings or structures constructed on or before 1970, and 

coded those properties for intensive-level survey. 

To inform this effort, QIs researched historic property or resource planning documents, assessor data, 

historic U.S. Geological Survey topographic maps, and historic aerial photograph. Properties constructed 

after 1970, properties currently vacant, and I-15 freeway properties exempt from Section 106 review 

were coded as such.

QIs conducted the intensive-level field survey on October 27–31, 2019; March 2–5, 2020; and May 27–

29, 2020, recording all relevant properties from the public ROW.

12 Properties constructed in 1970 or 

earlier were identified and documented. The documentation consisted of location mapping in ArcGIS, 

high-resolution photography from the public ROW, and written notes regarding alterations or other 

property characteristics as necessary. QIs noted exempt properties in the field but did not otherwise 

document them. Such properties were not documented on California or Nevada form sets or evaluated 

under NRHP criteria. Pre-survey research efforts did not allow for accurate identification of build dates 

for every property in the APE. In cases of unknown build dates, QIs estimated a construction year based 

on their professional judgment, taking into account the property type and its design, character-defining 

features, and historic context. When such properties appeared to be 50 years old or older, QIs included 

them among the population of properties to be evaluated for NRHP eligibility.

Based on the above methods, surveys to date have yielded the following results. QIs recorded 

(photographed) 613 resources in the field. QIs determined that nine other previously recorded 

properties have been demolished, one previously recorded resource consists of an archaeological site 

11 “Qualified” individuals must meet the Professional Qualifications Standards of the Secretary of the Interior.

12 An additional round of intensive level survey is scheduled for September 2020 to capture properties within the AboveGround APE as expanded per September 2020 modifications (refer to Table 3-2 above). 
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with built environment elements outside the APE, and two other previously recorded areas of the APE 

do not constitute properties requiring NRHP evaluation. 

FRA’s forthcoming technical reports (described in Section 7.0) will focus on these resources, including 

resources identified in fieldwork scheduled for September 2020. 

5.3 ANALYSIS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES 

For this Reevaluation, FRA considered the cultural resources investigations described in Section 3.7.2 of 

the DesertXpress DEIS. Similar to this approach, FRA collaborated with consulting parties and FederallyRecognized Native American tribes to identify cultural resources. 

As previously noted, pedestrian archaeological survey for this Reevaluation and the concurrent Section 

106 process differs from the earlier efforts insofar as all pedestrian surveys were monitored by Tribal 

monitors. Moreover, a full pedestrian survey approach was applied, including within the I-15 freeway

ROW and I-15 freeway median. The earlier efforts did not include Tribal monitors nor pedestrian survey 

of the fenced I-15 freeway ROW area.

Section 3.7.1.1. of the DesertXpress DEIS described the process FRA took to develop a PA for the Project 

in compliance with Section 106. Consistent with provisions at 36 CFR 800.4(b)(2), the PA established a 

phased identification and evaluation process, which deferred portions of the cultural resources 

evaluation until after the completion of environmental documentation. The PA was fully executed with 

signatures by FRA and cooperating agencies and was attached to the DesertXpress ROD. However, the 

PA expired prior to the start of this Reevaluation. 

For the modified Project, FRA in collaboration with the consulting parties, State Historic Preservation 

Officers (SHPO), the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, and Federally-Recognized Native 

American tribes, has been continuing the Section 106 process concurrently with this Reevaluation. 

Therefore, the following assessment of environmental consequences reflects the analysis of cultural 

resources completed to date, and acknowledges the ongoing Section 106 process. 

6.0 Preliminary Assessment of Effects 

In accordance with Section 106, FRA will consult with the appropriate parties to assess the effects of the 

Project modifications on historic properties. The DesertXpress ROD included a PA that outlined the 

process by which formal eligibility determinations would be made on archaeological resources and 

detailed how adverse effects on such resources would be avoided, minimized, or mitigated; however, an 

assessment of effects was not included in that document. For the Project modifications, FRA is 

continuing the Section 106 process concurrently with this Reevaluation. Through the Section 106 

process, FRA will complete a formal identification and evaluation of historic properties, assess effects on 

those historic properties, and resolve any adverse effects through avoidance, minimization, and 

mitigation. 

Table 7.1-1 summarizes the prospective types of effects that would be expected to be addressed and 

resolved in forthcoming documents (described in Section 7.0). This information will be updated as the 

Section 106 process progresses.
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In addition, regarding certain types of built environment properties, FRA notes the following potential 

for impacts. This will also be updated as warranted within the ongoing Section 106 process. Eligible 

transmission lines, which crisscross the alignment, are present in several locations within the AboveGround APE. Project construction would not result in removal of, physical destruction of, or damage to 

the historic transmission towers or the electricity lines strung between the towers, which are situated 

above the proposed railroad alignment and its associated features. Although the setting of the 

transmission lines would be altered in several locations, the change to the setting is anticipated to be 

minor and would thus be expected to affect a small percentage of the overall area occupied by the 

transmission lines. 

Proposed changes in the vicinity of historic properties in the Above-Ground APE are not anticipated to 

prevent the properties from conveying significance.

7.0 Completion of the Section 106 Process

Currently, FRA is preparing technical reports that identify and evaluate archaeological resources and 

built environment properties as well as findings of effects reports. These reports will be submitted for 

the appropriate notification, consultation, and concurrence as required by Section 106 and 36 CFR Part 

800. To the extent adverse effects are identified, FRA expects to execute an agreement document, with 

the appropriate parties, to resolve any identified adverse effects, consistent with 36 CFR Part 800. 

Adherence to this process would in effect be similar to the process set forth in the DesertXpress FEIS 

and ROD. 
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Table 7.1-1 Types of Potential Effects

Type of Effect Construction Activity Operation Activity

Potentially Affected Built 

Environment Property 

Types

Potentially Affected 

Archaeological Property Types

Physical destruction 

of or damage to all 

or part of the 

property

Clearing or altering land to 

allow for staging and 

construction of railroad and 

associated 

facilities/infrastructure

Potential for storm-related flooding 

resulting from or exacerbated by 

newly paved areas; potential for 

damage associated with increased 

water flows 

• Any property types that 

may be in the path of 

construction or staging 

• Property types that are 

subject to damage from 

increased water flows or 

flooding

• Any property types that may be 

in the path of construction or 

staging 

o All prehistoric and historic 

period property types Linear 

features (e.g., roads, trails) 

• Properties for which setting 

contributes to significance

o Districts

o Artwork

o Linear features (e.g., roads, 

trails) 

Alteration of a 

property...that is 

not consistent with 

the Secretary’s 

Standards for the 

Treatment of 

Historic Properties 

(36 CFR Part 68) and 

applicable 

guidelines

Railroad and associated 

facility construction and 

staging; creation of new roads 

or removal of existing roads

Not applicable for operations

• Districts 

• Linear features (e.g., 

roads, trails) 

• Properties for which 

setting contributes to 

significance

• Any property types that may be 

in the path of construction or 

staging 

• All prehistoric and historic 

period property types

• Any property whose setting 

contributes to its significance

o Districts

o Artwork

o Linear features (e.g., roads, 

trails) 

• All types sensitive to visual, 

noise, vibration, or atmospheric 

elements

o Artwork

o Traditional Cultural Properties
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Type of Effect Construction Activity Operation Activity

Potentially Affected Built 

Environment Property 

Types

Potentially Affected 

Archaeological Property Types

Removal of the 

property from its 

historic location

Clearing land in the railroad 

ROW for construction; 

existing road relocation

Not applicable for operations

All moveable buildings, 

structures, and objects that 

are in the path of 

construction or staging

n/a

Change of the 

character of the 

property’s use or of 

physical features 

within the 

property’s setting 

that contribute to 

its historic 

significance 

Existing road/trail alteration 

or relocation; property 

acquisition; construction of 

new building/facilities

Permanent change of setting based 

on introduction of new railroad 

infrastructure and associated 

facilities

• Any property whose 

setting contributes to its 

significance

• All types sensitive to 

visual, noise, or vibration 

elements

• Any property types that may be 

in the path of construction or 

staging 

• All prehistoric and historic 

period property types

• Any property whose setting 

contributes to its significance

o Districts

o Artwork

o Linear features (e.g., roads, 

trails) 

• All types sensitive to visual, 

noise, vibration, or atmospheric 

elements

o Artwork

o Traditional Cultural Properties

Introduction of 

visual or auditory 

elements that 

diminish the 

integrity of the 

property’s 

significant historic 

features

Pile driving or heavy 

construction equipment 

movement and usage that 

generate temporary noise or 

vibration

Visual intrusion created by 

introduction of railroad and 

associated structures (e.g., tracks, 

sidings, overpasses, electrical and 

communications ancillary features); 

noise associated with train 

operations

Buildings or structures that 

include viewshed or quiet 

setting as significant 

character-defining features

• Districts

• Artwork

• Linear features (e.g., roads, 

trails)

• Traditional Cultural Properties
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Type of Effect Construction Activity Operation Activity

Potentially Affected Built 

Environment Property 

Types

Potentially Affected 

Archaeological Property Types

Neglect of a 

property which 

causes its 

deterioration

Not applicable for 

construction

Change in land use that results in 

abandonment; access limitation that 

results in abandonment

Buildings or structures if 

their continued use is no 

longer possible due to 

access or land use issues

n/a

Transfer, lease or 

sale out of Federal 

ownership or 

control

Property acquisition, lease, or 

easement Not applicable for operations All types on Federal lands All property types on Federal lands